And The Fire Danger Is...

I couldn't help but take this shot at the beginning of the month. It was a whopping 2 degrees outside with 8 inches of snow on the ground. I started laughing.

Here's your sign!

Winter Wonderland....

I thought it might be fun to talk about our interesting early winter weather. When we get a good storm out here, it doesn't make much news. It's a little frustrating at times, but something those of us who live in Colorado have to bear with. It's a pretty widespread belief that Colorado equals mountain towns and skiing (sound familiar, Utah folk?), but what so many people in the nation, including the national media, have no idea that the areas with the major population are actually on the desert plains EAST of the mountains! Seriously, for us to get the snow we have this year is unusual. Even more unusual is the below zero temperatures. The first week of December we here in Pueblo had 8 inches of snow, didn't get above 10 degrees during the day, and were as cold as -18 at night. That is very, very early! We usually don't see that kind of cold until the end of January, and it lasts less time than this snap did. Yet, there was barely a breathe of mention about it. Oh well, life goes on.

But this weather that started back before Halloween has made me notice something. I'm truly shocked at the amount of kids who aren't properly outfitted for the snow and cold in a state that is no stranger to the stuff! Sure, I gave the benefit of the doubt in October because it was still early and many stores still didn't have a full stock of winter clothing, but in December? Really? Luke and I were toasty and enjoyed our snowy start to this month simply because we like to be outside and I'm one who will search the universe to get appropriate clothing. He is set with his snow pants, warm boots, gloves, hat, and coat. The most expensive thing being his boots because I kept being outbid on Ebay, so I bit the bullet and paid the average $25 for them. But while we were out there in appropriate gear that cost next-to-nothing, the other kids I saw were in light coats, no hats, no gloves (not even knit!), jeans, and tennis shoes. They'd be out for 5-minutes, MAYBE 10-minutes, then go back inside because they were cold. And we didn't see them out again. I know it costs money to outfit your kids for weather like this, believe me. I know! But even my parents, who for many years could barely afford to rub two dimes together, always managed to find us snow pants, boots, hats, gloves, and coats so we could play outside in the winter, and it didn't break the bank (thanks, guys! I REALLY appreciate that you did that for us!).

Anyway, I realized that we didn't have a sled for us, or for Luke. Griping about improperly geared children and I was neglecting this part of my son's life? Um, whoops. Luckily, I knew we could find some at Sports Authority and we dashed to the mall to buy one....but not until we trudged our snow packed road, ran down a bit and slid on our butts. We soon found neighbors in their windows laughing at us, and the dog was all-t0-pleased to join the fun. Upon our return, I immediately decked us out, inspiring giggles while I envisioned Ralphie's little brother being bundled up in A Christmas Story. Out the door we went and up the hill.

It didn't take long until the boys across the street came to join the fun. I took advantage of the moment and broke the camera out. Luke was having a ball! Sadly, just 2 days later, our snow had nearly all melted. We're still waiting for more (though current rumor has it we've got a good chance at a White Christmas..I hope so!)

Now for the contrast: the East Coast. My big brother and only sibling lives with his family in Virginia on the mouth of the Potomac River. They get some snow, but nothing spectacular. That's hard on a man who grew up in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah! Well, they received one whopper of a storm this week and it's my turn to be jealous. Actually, it's quite nice because they'll be moving to Shreveport, Louisiana in April, so Virginia is working on giving them some incredibly sweet memories before they leave. I'll steal and post the pictures of my beautiful niece and nephews playing in their approximately 2-feet of snow when I get them, but for now, I'll just share a couple that David took after just one short night of snowfall.

Global warming? I'd have to vote for a Global Cooling cycle, and I am enjoying it!

Neglect...

Good grief, I have neglected this blog! I love to write, and while I may not be the most gifted at the stuff, I get a lot of satisfaction from it. Why then have I basically forgotten about this very fun outlet for nearly a month? There's not one specific answer, but a lot of it does revolve around school. Some revolves around time with family and the ever-present "welcome to the Holiday Season" illnesses. Not much of an excuse, but it's the best I can offer.

There are certain times during the semester that I become a writing fool. I can handle it since I do love to write, but it takes time away from the recreational aspect of the outlet for me. Especially since the majority of what I write involves a great deal of reading, research, and figuring out what information I am actually going to use in the space allotted papers that deal with typically very past events. Not always the easiest of tasks, as was the case this semester. I chose to write on Sir William Wallace, who gained most of his American notoriety when Mel Gibson took his role in the film Braveheart. Talk about a tough man to find reliable information on! But the work paid off as I somehow managed to use every inch of space I was allowed and gained a 98 on the paper. Relief!

Mid-November also brings about a little bit of a frenzied time preparing for the Holiday Season. While it is only the three of us hanging out at the house this year, it does take a little planning. It seems like there's often a business trip planned around this time, we tend to get sick more often, and meals take more planning. Luke can't seem to shake cold, after cold, after cold. I actually managed to take the full-fledged Norovirus on this year (vs. past years when I was the one who grabbed the mild version) and decided to become friendly with the porcelain bowl and bathroom floor. The nice thing about it was that I didn't have to worry about the Thanksgiving calories! Jeff has managed to just get a few sniffles, so far. I guess we can't complain, really. It beats our usual "illnesses!"

As with all good things, it is time for me to refocus on my approaching finals. While I don't expect to have this blog be quite so quiet through this time, I do need to get through these final assignments and tests. So I now return to studying through the rest of the evening.....

My Deepest Appreciation....

This is such an incredible day for me. Each year it becomes more and more special. Luke and I attended the Veteran's Day parade in Pueblo on Saturday. I realized it is the first one I have been to as an adult that I have not marched in. That was sobering. I don't know if I can explain how, or even if I can make anyone understand. Realizing there is probably less than a handful of World War I Vets left, that the men and women of the generation of my grandfathers who served in World War II are dying very quickly, that the Korean War Vets, and even the Vietnam War Vets are aging and dying from things we are only beginning to understand hit me hard. My own generation is seeing things change rapidly, and appreciation sometimes seems to be slipping.
But then I think of those who have set the example for my life. My biggest hero will always be my father. My father, who worked so hard, gave so much of himself to allow my mom to stay home and raise my brother and me. Being a member of a fighter unit in the Air Force Reserve, working full time at that job, meant he left the country more often than other Reserve squadrons. Even when I was a small child, 2 weeks often morphed into a month or longer. But he made probably more than his ration of 5-minute phone calls from Denmark, Canada, Turkey, Thailand, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and many other places. They were words we lived by. He was often a staple at my horse shows, but also the only dad who came in his uniform. And he has left me with sweet, sweet memories of being an excited and spoiled little girl who relished the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of an F-105 and F-16. I regret I never had the chance to spend a day or night with him at work like my brother did, but am also so very proud David had that chance. Thank you, MSgt Melvin M. Ahrens (USAFRes, Ret)
My second hero is my big brother. We may be 5-years apart in age, but we are close in spirit. Sure, we have, and have had our sibling spats. Who really wants their baby sister tagging along to to every imaginable events, anyway? And how many can really hold their wits when that baby sister throws a royal fit because big brother gets to have "all the fun" with the planes while she has to go to bed early because she's truly little? But he always knew who he was and what he wanted to do with life. He worked hard, hard, hard and was accepted into a private university that is widely known to have produced some of the best pilots the U.S. Air Force has ever seen. Not only that, he was awarded a full ride scholarship. While he was turned down for a pilot's slot, he was navigator qualified, earned his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, and has proceeded to achieve his graduate degree in another engineering field. He is now a Lieutenant Colonel in our Air Force, and a fantastic family man. I can't be a more proud sister.
Not to be outdone is my wonderfully patient husband. We met in 1997 on Pearl Harbor. I lived on Hickam Air Force Base, which literally is separated from Pearl by a fence of brush and two pole gates; one at the edge of the water, one in base housing. This incredible man caught my eye and returned my smile. 1 year and 4-months later we were married. That was 11-years ago, but he has remained by the side of this crazy blonde chick from Utah. Any man who can serve on a submarine, let alone an attack submarine with the hull number of 666, is someone special, and I can't believe I ever got so lucky. I only regret that an injury cut his Naval career short.
I need mention my amazing father-in-law. Once in a while he speaks a bit of his time in the Navy, but I know the memories are difficult for him. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War, though he endured things no man should ever have to encounter in his own country. I sincerely doubt he is aware of just how much we appreciate not only him, but the example he showed to the man I married.
There can be no comparison to the men and women who have sacrificed all for our country. Nor can we forget those who are still missing, including Sgt. Matt Maupin (Edit to add I am an idiot. In my tiredness and emotion, I failed to remember Sgt Maupin's remains were recovered and brought home nearly 2-years ago....) and Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl. But my appreciation to every single person who has dutifully served our country can never be measured in words. Had it not been for the farmers who stood up against the tyrannical King George, we would not have this nation. Had it not been for all of those who have put on the uniform and not only fought here, but overseas in defense of our allies, there is no telling where we'd be today. Had those people not stood up and taken the oath to protect our Constitution against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic, we could not stand today and say
THANK YOU.......

Fort Hood....

I am sure I am only echoing the thoughts of everyone else in the nation tonight, but my heart is absolutely sick over the news coming from Killeen, Texas tonight. My time in service to my country afforded me the opportunity to witness some really bizarre behavior from my peers and superiors. I saw one of my officers lose his mind and drop a box of ramblings in a foreign language at the main gate on Hickam AFB, HI. It was addressed to the Base Commander and we were shut down with the thought someone had left a bomb. I saw some of the younger soldiers and Marines, in particular, become so tired that they would just fall over from exhaustion while on duty. I went through multiple bomb threats and evacuations. I was even present and on duty for an actual bomb exploding in the office of the First Sergeant at the Security Police Force's orderly room on Lackland AFB, Texas. She survived, though she lost a hand, an eye, most of her fingers on the surviving hand, and had other injuries. She also managed to finish her career. The newly dishonorably discharged airman who managed to get the bomb on base and into her office was prosecuted to the fullest extent. A few months after that all of America witnessed the horrific acts of 9/11. That was the worst example of humanity, and the strongest example of "brotherhood" I have experienced to date. A Middle-Eastern restaurant had been completely vandalized and nearly destroyed by angry citizens. The woman who owned it still somehow managed to open for lunch, but only because of the support of military members who were off-duty on September 12th. And the entire lunch and dinner crowd made the news. It was all military. I worked with a devout Muslim. He was angry over the happenings, and he was fearful, too. The entire crew on our shift, plus some, surrounded him and made sure was safe.

I never did see anything like the soldiers at Fort Hood saw today, however. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining! I am simply heartsick and wishing there was more I could do. I know the chaos that arrises in the moments surrounding a disaster. I don't think I even want to imagine the fear and pain, even in these many hours after the fact. No, I was not in the Army. Many of my coworkers were, or still are. Fort Hood was less than 2-hours away from those of us who were stationed in Texas for a time. It's a huge part of the community as a whole, even hundreds or thousands of miles away. It's a small world, to say the least.

So tonight I sit here with a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. I have not worn a uniform in 4 very long years, but the ties that bind are strong. So, to quote my big brother, LtCol David K. Ahrens, USAF, "Stay strong, Fort Hood. This USAF Sister is standing with you......."

October Records....

I think it's fairly safe to say that by now everyone is aware Denver, Fort Collins, and numerous other parts of this fair state of Colorado not mentioned by the media outlets received a walloping of snow yesterday. Snow totals in the metro areas have been upwards of 18 inches. That's impressive this time of year! We here in the Pueblo area, however, remained dry. Windy, but dry.

I finally crashed out last night around 1:30am. I guess that's considered this morning, but still. I woke up just a bit before 5am because of a meek voice calling me. What I saw out the window got my blood rushing! In that short amount of time, just over 4 hours, we had 3 inches of snow on the ground! But here is the real news:

It is now just about 7:15 am and we have over 5 inches. There are some areas that have received over 3 feet of snow! I'm not sure how all of this compares region-wide against October 1997, but national news and weather reporters are saying we've officially passed that storm since this has been just over 24-hours and that storm was 3 days.

I've got a few pictures, and there will be more to come. My batteries died and are charging.....

Another Day....

...another snow storm. Yup, that's right! Here we are, six days away from the last day of October, and it's currently snowing outside. Again! My lawn is dusted white, my driveway a bit icy. Someone told me that it officially signaled the end of fall for us. I had to remind her that we really didn't receive a fall. The few trees that were valiantly holding on to summer and waiting to change color were promptly shrouded in a sheet of ice and the leaves immediately went brown. Then they blew off.

I will not complain, though. The lawn is halfway dormant and looks better now than it did all summer due to the water Mother Nature is putting out! And it could be worse. It was on this very day just back in 1997 that this area was blanketed in 2 feet of snow. The dusting is much more manageable, and the feet of snow can wait until next month.....